Best Baked Apple Fritters: A Cozy Classic Reimagined

If you’ve ever found yourself craving apple fritters but dreading the deep-frying mess, I’ve got some delicious news. These baked apple fritters are about to become your new favorite kitchen comfort. They have all the cozy spice and apple-kissed goodness of the classic version, but skip the oil slick and extra cleanup. Yes, please!

I came up with this recipe on one of those crisp fall mornings when the house felt just a little too quiet and I needed a pick-me-up that smelled like cinnamon dreams. You know the ones. The idea? Take the essence of a fritter and make it more weeknight-friendly (because let’s be honest, no one has time to stand over hot oil after work). This recipe is here for your sweet cravings, your weekend brunch table, or even just a “treat yourself” Tuesday afternoon.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just want something simple and satisfying, these glazed apple fritters are forgiving, fuss-free, and frankly—fabulous.

Why You’ll Love These Baked Apple Fritters

• Less mess, more flavor: No frying needed.
• Better-for-you ingredients: A mix of white whole-wheat flour and just the right amount of sweetness.
• Quick & easy: From bowl to table in under 30 minutes.
• Comfort in every bite: Warm spices and tender apple chunks? Yes, ma’am.

Ingredients

For the fritters:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 6 tbsp cold butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup milk (whole milk preferred)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped apple (peeled if you prefer)

For the glaze:

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

How to Make Glazed Apple Fritters (Without the Frying!)

1. Preheat & Prep: Set your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together both flours, brown sugar, baking powder, and spices.
3. Cut in Butter: Add your butter cubes and blend with a pastry cutter or clean fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, and vanilla.
5. Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix. Stir until just combined, then gently fold in the chopped apples. Don’t overmix!
6. Scoop & Bake: Drop batter onto the sheet using 1/4-cup scoops. For smaller bites, use heaping tablespoons. Bake for 11–13 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden and the centers are firm.
7. Make the Glaze: While the fritters bake, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
8. Broil with Glaze: Brush the baked fritters with glaze, then broil for 2–4 minutes until the glaze bubbles and the tops turn golden. Keep a close eye here!
9. Final Glaze: Once out of the oven, brush with the remaining glaze. Let them set briefly, then dig in!

Olivia’s Tips for Baked Dessert Bliss

• Cold butter = crumbly magic. It gives the fritters that tender texture you love.
• Don’t overmix! Stir just until the flour disappears. Overmixing can turn your batter into a chewy mess.
• Apples matter. Use a firm, tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.
• Broiler watching is key. A minute too long and you’ll go from glazed to charred—don’t walk away!

How This Recipe Won My Family Over

When I first tested these baked apple fritters, I wasn’t expecting a standing ovation from my teenage son. But there he was, two fritters in, declaring, “Mom, you should sell these.” That’s when I knew we had a winner.

They became our go-to on chilly weekends, the house filled with the smell of cinnamon and apples, and me proudly sipping coffee while pretending it was all effortless. Even my husband, who usually raises an eyebrow at anything “baked, not fried,” was hooked after one bite. These fritters are now our comfort ritual.

What to Serve with Baked Apple Fritters

These fritters are great solo, but even better with:

• Hot coffee or spiced tea. Obvious? Yes. Essential? Also yes.
• Vanilla yogurt. Makes it feel like breakfast!
• Caramel drizzle. For those extra-indulgent days.
• Whipped cream or ice cream. When you really want to show off.
• Cheddar cheese (trust me). It’s a sweet-and-savory combo worth trying.

How to Store Your Fritters (If You Have Leftovers!)

• Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Fridge: Keeps well for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes.
• Freezer: Freeze unglazed fritters in a single layer, then store in a zip bag. Thaw and reheat, then glaze.

Pro tip: Glaze fresh. It’s best right after broiling or reheating.

FAQs

Can I use gluten-free flour?

Yes! A good 1:1 gluten-free baking blend works well here.

Can I make these apple fritters dairy-free?

Absolutely. Use plant-based butter and non-dairy milk like oat or almond.

Do I need to peel the apples?

It’s up to you! I like a mix of peeled and unpeeled for texture.

Can I make these ahead?

Yes. Bake and freeze without glaze. Glaze fresh after reheating.

What apples work best?

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji—firm and tart is the goal.

A New Way to Enjoy Apple Fritters

These baked apple fritters are proof that dessert doesn’t have to be complicated to be soul-soothing. With warm spices, crisp apple chunks, and that irresistible glaze, they deliver all the goodness of the classic fried treat with a lighter touch. Whether you’re baking with the kids, treating yourself after a long day, or whipping up something special for guests, this baked dessert is a crowd-pleaser.

And the best part? You don’t need a deep fryer—just a cozy kitchen and a craving for something sweet.

So grab your apples, tie on that apron, and let’s bake some joy today.

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Best Baked Apple Fritters

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• Author: Olivia Hartwellen
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 fritters (or 12 mini fritters) 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Best Baked Apple Fritters are the coziest, fuss-free version of a fall classic. Packed with warm spices, tender apple chunks, and finished with a crackly vanilla glaze, they skip the deep frying and go straight for oven-baked bliss. Perfect for quick desserts, weekend brunch, or cozy afternoon treats, they’re comfort food at its best—no oil mess required.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Fritters:

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup white whole-wheat flour

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp nutmeg

• ¼ tsp allspice

• ¼ tsp salt

• 6 tbsp cold butter, cut into pieces

• ½ cup whole milk

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup chopped apple (peeled optional, firm variety like Granny Smith)

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

• 2 tbsp milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or silicone mat.

• In a large bowl, whisk flours, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.

• Cut in butter using fingers or a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

• In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, and vanilla. Pour into dry mix and stir just until combined.

• Fold in chopped apples gently—do not overmix.

• Scoop ¼-cup portions onto baking sheet (or smaller scoops for mini fritters).

• Bake for 11–13 minutes until golden and centers are set.

• While baking, whisk glaze ingredients until smooth.

• Brush glaze on warm fritters and broil 2–4 minutes until bubbly and golden.

• Remove from oven and brush with remaining glaze. Let set and enjoy.

Notes

Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best flavor.

Keep butter cold for a tender, biscuit-like texture.

Watch carefully during broiling to avoid burning the glaze.

For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk and butter.

Glaze after broiling for a perfect shiny finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 13 minutes + 4 minutes broil
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American